Information Specialist (Postgraduate)

Direct Reporting Line:
Deputy Director: Postgraduate and Research Centre

Varsity College is an educational brand of The Independent Institute of Education (The IIE). The IIE enjoys the reputation of being at the forefront of private higher education in South Africa and is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) to provide higher education qualifications accredited by the Council on Higher Education (CHE).

The IIE's Varsity College, Online Centre has a vacancy for an Information Specialist (Postgraduate).
NB. This vacancy may be based at our Online Centre in either Waterfall (Midrand) or Cape Town.

Purpose

The Postgraduate and Research Librarian is a member of one or more teams responsible for providing a comprehensive information service on a complex level and advanced level, developing library collections to meet the needs of the staff and students both on- and off-campus of individual faculties, and the development and delivery of research workshops, a range of literacy programs.

The incumbent is responsible for designing, planning, organising and managing of all information and research support services to cater for needs of faculties, researchers and students according to the research strategies and policies in the Line Manager, and in line with Brand strategy, IIE008, IIE027, research development framework and related policies.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Management of the Information Centre (Information Centre Administration)

• Plan and design annual training programmes for the year to include entry/orientation level to advanced and just-in-time information, research, literacy and academic writing sessions
• Assist students and researchers in the use of plagiarism prevention and research tools
• Ensure that collections and subscriptions answer to needs

Marketing, Awareness, and Dissemination of Information Services Communication

• Plan and design guidelines, notices and create awareness of postgraduate library services
• Create research profiles for researchers and lecturers and disseminate information accordingly
• Create library guides and handouts
• Actively participate in campus activities e.g. research conferences etc
• Actively take part in academic forums on campus to create awareness of the value chain of library services within Teaching and Learning

Teaching and Learning Support, Information Literacies

• Plan and present advanced research and information sessions to postgraduate students, and researchers in collaboration with academic departments and staff
• Display an excellent level of digital literacies and eResources knowledge e.g. EbscoHOST and other sources functionality, and transfer these skills to students and researchers
• Present workshops on academic integrity, plagiarism prevention, and referencing techniques
• Assist students in using referencing, plagiarism prevention, and research tools
• Deliver embedded library services on the learning management services

Policy and Standards Compliance

• Monitor adherence to all library and library-related policies and research policies and report progress or anomalies
• Ensure copyright and trademarks compliance not only in the library but with the appropriate campus Line Manager
• Promote academic ethics and intellectual integrity

Collection, Maintenance, Management, and Development

• Ensure that the library collection has up-to-date resources on research methods and methodology per discipline
• Ensure that there is access to seminal work, giving preference to having online and electronic editions rather than print where possible
• Augment available collections with interlibrary loans as and when needed
• Introduce postgraduate students to peer-reviewed articles
• Submit completed research to the research repository

Networking, Communication, and Reporting

• Compile and distribute monthly statistical reports, with analyses and comments on trends
• Stay abreast of industry developments and participate in all internal and external forums

Ad hoc and auxiliary duties
The incumbent will be required to:

• Work evening, after-hours and weekend shifts
• Do counter duties
• Cataloguing, classification, indexing, and item editing
• Weeding and stock control

Competencies required:

• Interpersonal and communication skills
• Coaching and mentoring skills
• Problem solving skills & Time management skills
• Best suited to a friendly, organised person who works accurately and is able to handle pressure
• Information & Digital Fluency Skills
• Digital literacy skills
• Working knowledge of MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Understanding of library-related technology (e.g. Law online databases, Sirsi Dynix, Emerald, Ebscohost, Sabinet, etc.)
• Multi-literacy Skills
• Innovative and Energetic
• Producing own Research

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

• Postgraduate qualification with a research component in Information Sciences or equivalent.
• Masters Degree is advantageous

Minimum Experience Requirements:

• 3-5 years relevant experience

Working Hours:

• Monday to Friday 07:00 – 16:00, 08:00 - 17:00 or 10:00 – 19:00. This will be discussed further during the interview.
• The Information Specialist may also be required to work one Saturday shift a month from 08h00 to 13h00 (timing of this monthly Saturday shift will be determined by the Head: Academic). In the week where the IS works the Saturday shift the Friday working hours will change to 08h00-12h00 accordingly.

Working Conditions:

• Reliable transportation required.

Salary:

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.

Benefits:

• Lifelong learning opportunities through LinkedIn Learning subscriptions.
• Staff and family discounts on educational programs within our brand portfolio.
• Incentive bonus structure based on performance and achievement of goals.
• Provident fund contributions, including Death & Funeral Cover, to support your financial well-being and future planning.
• Birthday vouchers to celebrate your special day.
• Competitive annual leave allowance for well-deserved time off and rejuvenation.

Application Response:

• Due to the high volume of CVs received, please note that personal contact with all applicants may not be feasible. Only candidates whose qualifications and skills closely align with the position requirements will be contacted for interviews.

Technical Support:

• Should you experience technical difficulties applying for the position, kindly use the following URL for further assistance: https://hire.simplify.hr/ContactUs

The IIE's Varsity College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. However, preference will be given to previously underrepresented groups in accordance with the South African Employment Equity Act.